pashmina

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, honest reactions, and heartfelt advice. I made it through the night, terrible as it was, reading through the posts here and another obesity help site. I got up early today to walk. Being active really helped. I must have walked about 100 blocks around Manhattan today with my iPod blaring in my ear. I think that's my therapy. Thanks again everyone for your suggestions. Today is a better day.

Hi Alibob, I just saw my surgeon on Friday for my three week post-op visit. All surgeons do seem to be different, but I agree with Kathy, I've never heard of 10 months before a fill. The fills are what give you restriction. My first fill is 6 weeks post-op, so 3 weeks from now, and he'll be putting in 3cc's, more than I expected in the first fill, but it also depends on the size of your band. I would ask again, along with his rationale if I were you. That just doesn't sound right to me. Best of luck!

February 17, 1978- Me and Michael Jordan...now if only I got some of his height.

Anybody out there tonight? I am feeling a severe need to binge for the first time since I was banded three weeks ago. It has been a bad weekend; relationships with friends/family/my boyfriend all have come crashing down, but I can't return to my usual crutch. I keep repeating the mantra "The band is a tool, not an easy button," but I still keep walking to the fridge and closing it, eyeing the Soup in the cabinet, the leftover Pasta on the shelf. This afternoon I walked to the corner store, bought a pint of cherry garcia, ate five bites and threw the rest down the garbage shoot in disgust. I feel like a miserable, weak person without a lifeline. I want to stuff my face in consolation with pizza, and pudding, and chicken, and anything else I can find. I feel like a drug addict without her heroin or coke fix. I feel desperate, sad, and angry. I want to scream in frustration because I can't fix my problems the way I always have, with food! It's too late to take a walk, reading is not working, and I can't watch one more minute of crap TV. Someone please help me get my mind off the food. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any suggestions: vford18@hotmail.com Thanks for any responses in advance!

Hi Chris- I'd love to meet up with you when you hop across the pond. I live about ten blocks south of your hotel. I looked at the dates of your visit and unfortunately you'll miss the support groups that I usually attend, (Mt. Sinai's group meets the first Wednesday of each month, and NYU's group is the third Wednesday) but maybe you and I and Marc can make our own group and get together for shakes and stories. I've been banded almost three weeks now and am down about 20 pounds so far. Feel free to e-mail me as well and I'll give you my contact info: midtownchic78@hotmail.com Either way, have a great trip! -Valerie

Congrats to everyone who's lost so far! I was banded Aug. 9th, and for me that first week out was hell. It was tough mostly because I expected to bounce back so much faster than I did. I was really sore at the port site from it being sutured in, had a lot of nausea, and terrible gas pains. I sincerely wondered what I was thinking and was in regretland, especially after weighing myself in the hospital and thinking I had gained back pounds (nope- your body is filled with IV fluids and gas giving you false numbers!) Instead of being out of work 3 days, it took me 7. I'm happy to report that I'm now almost 3 weeks out, the gas pains are all but a memory at this point, the port site pain is virtually gone (it would be completely, but my bf accidentally leaned on me late last week- OUCH) and the nausea is a thing of the past. Week two was really the threshold for me. So far I'm down a little more than 20 pounds and I'm really happy with that. People are noticing and my clothes are getting loose already. Good luck to everyone out there!

Thanks so much for your response Connie. You really answered my question. I'm getting stronger every day and looking forward to getting back to the weights in the gym a month from now. Oh- and BIG Congrats on those 57 pounds!!!! Awesome.

OK- I think my post must have been confusing. I am NOT working out at all right now! I am asking about when I DO start to work out- six or so weeks from now, has anyone had any trouble with crunches and the port? Going to EDIT now.

Stupid question for the experienced bandsters- but has anyone had issues with the port or slippage with crunches/sit ups? I am NOT exercising yet aside from walking- going to wait until about 6 weeks out to start. I can't help but wonder if it will feel strange/hurt/cause slippage when I do start. Anyone?

Hi Sue, Congrats on getting to where you are now! I still think making the decision is the biggest part. I was where you are back in May. I had seen the surgeon, asked my questions, and having made the decision wanted the surgery THAT DAY; only to have a slew of specialists/poking and prodding and potential insurance refusal in front of me. All those appointments go a lot quicker than you think, and you WILL get there! Stay positive. Also, your insurance may not require a full six months. My surgeon threw the same lingo at me as a "just in case they don't approve right away". My insurance approved after only 3 days with my file. I didn't have to do six months with a new doc (I was seeing a nurse practioner), and I'm 10 days post-op now. The time really did fly. Keep your chin up, remember why you're doing what you're doing and feel free to scream in frustration every so often! Best of luck.

The first pic is three days post-op, and the second pic taken today, at nine days out. The gunky stuff around the scars making them look more red than they are is the surgical super-glue stuff. The top incision has lost its glue, but the others still have theirs. Getting better!

Hi Karen, First, a BIG congrats on getting your surgery date. Manometry (got the right spelling this time) is a procedure a GI doc will do to determine the strength of your swallow and of your esophagus. My surgeon said it helps in establishing a baseline if you run into complications later. It's fairly unpleasant because they have to stick a flexible tube up your nose and down into your esophagus until it reaches your stomach. Then they make you sip Water while they pull it out slowly to various levels. They use spray lidocaine to numb your nose and your throat, but it was still very uncomfortable. My surgeon is Dr. Jacob, and my insurance is Healthnet, a subgroup of Guardian. I was really surprised with the quick turnaround, having heard so many horror stories about rejection. Have you found a live support group that you like?

Hi Everyone! I'm newbie to the site, and it's been a tremendous comfort to read so many stories like mine. I went for my first surgical consultation back in May and now, three months, eight required specialist visits, and countless pokes and prods later, I'm approved and have a date with Mt. Sinai in just under two weeks. Anybody else have the dreaded monometry (sp?)? My insurance co. approved in three (3!) days, so now my fears have switched to post-op. How am I going to feel the first time I want to really eat, and can't? Co-worker whispers, how my boyfriend will react to the scars, the condescension and judgmentality of those who don't "get it", etc... Beyond and above all that is excitement to have the surgery and start this new chapter in my life. I can't wait to have more energy, worry less about developing diabetes, apnea, circulation issues, and of course, NEVER have to shop at Lane Bryant again!

Counting down the days now...August 9th